The Blue Jackets desperately need a power-play quarterback, so look for them to make attempts to sign Ottawa's Wade Redden, Colorado's John-Michael Liles, Montreal's Mark Streit or the New York Rangers' Michal Rozsival. San Jose's Brian Campbell, the top available "offensive" defenseman, could be a target, too, but he might be the most sought-after player this summer, and it's unlikely the Blue Jackets -- loads of money or not -- would be Campbell's choice.

The Blue Jackets also want a big, nasty, shut-down defenseman who will make them harder to play against. Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik and Ottawa's Mike Commodore would fit the bill.

Now to the other end of the ice.

The Blue Jackets, even with the acquisition of center R.J. Umberger last weekend, need a talent upgrade down the middle of the ice. Umberger might be a top-six forward, but it's a stretch to put him on a No. 1 line.

Look for Vancouver's Brendan Morrison to be in the Blue Jackets' plans. He's the only truly skilled center under 36 years old on the market.

As for help on the wing, the Blue Jackets might consider the likes of Calgary's Kristian Huselius, Phoenix's Radim Vrbata or Dallas' Niklas Hagman -- all in their late 20s, all supreme "effort" guys, and all coming into their primes.

"There are a lot of guys who can help us," Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We don't need saviors. We just need players who can come in and help us with what's already in place."

Last summer, the Blue Jackets, dragged down by hefty contracts to center Sergei Fedorov and defenseman Adam Foote, were bargain shoppers.

Howson brought in forwards Michael Peca and Jiri Novotny and defenseman Jan Hejda for a grand total of $3.115 million. He's in a much different spot 12 months later.

The Blue Jackets have roughly $28 million committed to next season's payroll. That does not count new contracts due to Umberger and goaltender Pascal Leclaire, both restricted free agents. If both make in the neighborhood of $4 million per season, as expected, the Blue Jackets will be around $36 million.

That leaves them plenty of room under the NHL's salary cap of $56.7 million for next season. Ownership has not given Howson a "hard cap" on what he can spend on payroll next season, but with attendance dwindling in Nationwide Arena, they seem more willing to spend than ever.

"It is different this summer," Howson said, "in that we can be a bigger part of the proceedings."

What hasn't changed is the first criteria that must be met by free agents before the Blue Jackets pursue them:

"We want competitive players who fit within our team identity," Howson said. "The guys who don't, won't even be considered."

Hitchcock has looked at lots of video to get a grip on players on the Blue Jackets' radar screen.

"Lots of guys out there can help us," Hitchcock said.

On Monday, Howson and the hockey operations staff will meet to go over their lists and prepare offers. They'll be placed by the fax machine, ready for the next day's start of business.

"We have holes to fill," Howson said. "This is a big day -- a big few days -- for our organization."